Oct. 12, 2012 Editorial: Prop B

Sarah Smith, KMBC/KCWE President and General Manager

Proposition B on Missouri's November ballot proposes to raise the tobacco tax to 90 cents per pack.

Right now, Missouri has the lowest tobacco tax rate in the country at 17 cents against the national average of a $1.49.

The projected revenue raised from the tax increase will go toward education, smoking prevention and assistance to quit smoking.

Opponents of Prop B say, "Don't count on more money for Missouri, because this tax will keep Kansas smokers from crossing the state line to buy cigarettes because the Kansas rate is 79 cents."

We support Proposition B. The tax increase probably won't dissuade many smokers from their habit. Research shows that only 4 percent of the overall population would react by quitting. But the added cost may prevent our youth from starting as the same research correlates a reduction of 7 percent in youth smoking for every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices.

Better health is worth the price.

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